Germany beat Portugal to reach Euro
Saturday, 21 June 2008
BASEL, Switzerland, June 20 (AP): After it was all over, Michael Ballack was dancing on the field, being serenaded by thousands of German fans. Cristiano Ronaldo, however, had already beaten a quick retreat into the bowels of the stadium, head hanging low. After running riot through the tournament with nifty moves and flashy combination, the Portugal winger had no answer Thursday when faced with the solid, unyielding Germans. In the end, three-time champion Germany reached the European Championship semifinals by beating Portugal 3-2.
Ballack scored. Ronaldo did not. Ballack was all over the field, guiding his team. Ronaldo too often was all over the place. "I did my best," the Manchester United forward said. But it wasn't enough. For all their spectacular play, Portugal is out ahead of the semifinals in a major tournament for the first time since 2002 with a 2-2 record. Germany, despite all the criticism of poor play, is 3-1 and heading to its first European semifinal in 12 years.
Besides the inspirational Ballack, credit Bastian Schweinsteiger. The Bayern Munich midfielder scored one goal with lightning pace and set up two more with pin-point free kicks for winning headers. "Today you saw what the Mannschaft is made of," said Ballack, who delivered the deciding blow by scoring the third goal in the 61st minute, shoving away Paulo Ferreira and heading past an out-of-position Ricardo.
Miroslav Klose also scored for Germany, while Nuno Gomes and Helder Postiga had goals for Portugal.
Now, the Germans will play the winner of Friday's quarterfinal match between Turkey and Croatia.
The Germans started the upset with a move in the best Portuguese tradition. Lukas Podolski set up a couple of short passing combinations and sped off much like Ronaldo would do. In the center, Schweinsteiger beat Ferreira for pace, and given the perfect low cross, slotted it past Ricardo for the opener in the 22nd. "Up to now, we lacked a bit of creativity. That is why we changed today and that was the key," Ballack said. "Now, you saw what this team has when it can play freely."
Ballack scored. Ronaldo did not. Ballack was all over the field, guiding his team. Ronaldo too often was all over the place. "I did my best," the Manchester United forward said. But it wasn't enough. For all their spectacular play, Portugal is out ahead of the semifinals in a major tournament for the first time since 2002 with a 2-2 record. Germany, despite all the criticism of poor play, is 3-1 and heading to its first European semifinal in 12 years.
Besides the inspirational Ballack, credit Bastian Schweinsteiger. The Bayern Munich midfielder scored one goal with lightning pace and set up two more with pin-point free kicks for winning headers. "Today you saw what the Mannschaft is made of," said Ballack, who delivered the deciding blow by scoring the third goal in the 61st minute, shoving away Paulo Ferreira and heading past an out-of-position Ricardo.
Miroslav Klose also scored for Germany, while Nuno Gomes and Helder Postiga had goals for Portugal.
Now, the Germans will play the winner of Friday's quarterfinal match between Turkey and Croatia.
The Germans started the upset with a move in the best Portuguese tradition. Lukas Podolski set up a couple of short passing combinations and sped off much like Ronaldo would do. In the center, Schweinsteiger beat Ferreira for pace, and given the perfect low cross, slotted it past Ricardo for the opener in the 22nd. "Up to now, we lacked a bit of creativity. That is why we changed today and that was the key," Ballack said. "Now, you saw what this team has when it can play freely."